Not so easy as it seems. Depends on your location. I can't keep a starter uninfected with black mold for more than 4 months here. It's the area. I had a 2 year old one at 7000 ft in NM.
Where you are, you might do well with it.
Real training and practice beats the heck out of reading something in a magazine and thinking you know how.
/johnny
You know whats native here that makes some mean hootch?
Persimmons
Do you keep your starter in your fridge? I realize it won’t last forever, but maybe longer....where I am I can probably keep starter a fairly long time...even NOT in the fridge! Of course having yeast on hand would be better, and having professional knowledge would be best....